Arkansas Business

"We've enjoyed zero co-pay for our employees," said Vicki Stauder, human resources specialist for the city of Hot Springs. "They're more likely to go to the doctor versus coming up with the money out of pocket to go."

The IMWell model gives companies a choice between multi-employer and on-site clinics. The former option requires no startup cost and gives employees access to a clinic a short distance from the employer's headquarters. An on-site clinic is available to companies with more than 800 workers, is developed with fixed fees and is installed directly into a company's facility.

The nearby and immediate availability of the clinics save companies big bills from ERs, brand-name drug prescriptions and trips between various specialty doctors.

Patients are allowed access to anything from treatment for minor injuries to diagnostic testing to vaccination.

IMWell's revenue should exceed $5 million this year, Parker said, a 25 percent increase over last year. He said the clinics have given the big companies productivity boosts and improved quality of life for employees.

"I believe that the employers depend upon their workforce to be there daily, and not just that, but to be there in good health," he said. "They feel the benefit of having a clinic available to employees to be seen ... for acute care issues, so they can be on their game while at work."

What's the Secret?

IMWell's success can mainly be attributed to the fact that it's one of the few players in its game.

"There's no other companies like us headquartered in Arkansas," Parker said. "There's a limited amount of activity from other companies in the state, but it is indeed very limited."

The concept of on-site clinics is more common on campuses with more than 5,000 employees, Parker said. Most of the time, he added, IMWell finds itself having to explain its product to new clients - they've never heard of it before.

"We're becoming what most companies consider a best-in-class benefit for employees," he said. "So when we are going out to sell this concept, it is indeed new to most employers."